A post on her official Twitter feed read: "We can confirm that the beautiful Poly Styrene, who has been a true fighter, won her battle on Monday evening to go to higher places."

An official statement continued: "We are sad to report that Marianne Elliot (aka Poly Styrene) lost her battle with cancer last night, 25th April 2011.

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"Poly Styrene was a punk amongst punks. A groundbreaking presence that left an unrepeatable mark on the musical landscape, she made history the moment she uttered,'Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard but I think oh bondage up yours!'

"Poly Styrene never stopped exciting us with her incisive world-view, amazing wit, and her adventurous sound. It is impossible to imagine what modern music would be like without her incalculable contributions but it's probably not worth imagining a world that never had Poly Styrene in it."

Tributes have come in from across the world of music. Boy George said: "It's seems true that Poly Styrene has passed away, she was my punk hero, I'm so heartbroken! (sic)"